Etihad Airways Brings Momentous Year to a Close with Spectacular A380 and B787 Launch

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has capped an incredible 12 months by unveiling its first Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft to more than 200 of the world’s media in Abu Dhabi.

The doors
to the airline’s two new flagship aircraft – in the distinctive new ‘Facets of
Abu Dhabi’ livery – were opened for the first time to reveal the new cabin
interiors, which include the ultra-luxurious Residence by Etihad™, the only
three-room suite in the sky.

Etihad
Airways also unveiled a new cabin crew uniform at a spectacular catwalk fashion
show. It’s the first major uniform re-launch since the airline’s formation in
2003 and incorporates the same colours used for the
cabin interior and new aircraft livery.

James Hogan, Etihad
Airways’ President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “As we have done so many
times in our short history, we are reshaping the landscape of modern air travel
in our own way.

“Today is the
culmination of many years of hard work and tremendous endeavour by hundreds of
people both in our airline and outside.

“With the launch of
these aircraft, we usher in a new era of unparalleled luxury, comfort and
service. These innovations represent our vision for the future.”

In addition to the
media event at Abu Dhabi airport, Etihad Airways is also hosting an event for
travel industry partners and one for the airline’s staff today, ensuring that
by the end of the day more than 1,500 people will have toured the two new
aircraft.

The
fashion show saw 22 Etihad Airways cabin crew showcasing the new uniform which
has been designed by Italian couturier, Ettore Bilotta. It combines elegance,
comfort and practicality and the colours are derived from the new brand
identity.

Bilotta,
in collaboration with the airline’s Guest Services and Guest Experience
divisions, chose a warm chocolate brown as the base colour
for the different uniform variations.

A deep purple colour is
added for cabin crew and lounge staff, and a burnt orange accent colour for
ground crews and Special Services personnel.

Following today’s
events in Abu Dhabi, the A380 and Boeing 787 aircraft will continue test operations
before starting commercial flights. The A380 will operate daily to London
Heathrow from 27 December and the 787 to Dusseldorf from 1 February 2015.

The entry
into commercial service of the A380 will see the introduction of The Residence
by Etihad™, a new cabin that has captured the imagination of the air travel
industry since it was unveiled in May 2014.

The
Residence by Etihad™ features a living room, separate ensuite shower room, and bedroom,
and as another first in the airline industry, a dedicated Butler.

Measuring
125 square feet in total, The Residence by Etihad™ is located on the forward
upper deck of the A380 and is for single or double occupancy.

The
A380 is also the only Etihad Airways aircraft to offer the First Apartment
which is a complete living space with a reclining lounge chair and an ottoman,
which opens up to become a separate 80.5 inch long fully-flat bed.

The
First Suite on the Etihad Airways B787 offers guests an enhanced suite with
chilled mini-bar, complete privacy and centre seats which can be joined to
create a double bed.

A
total of 70 Business Studios are located on the upper deck of the A380, and the
B787 has 28 Business Studios, all offering aisle access and a fully flat bed of
up to 80.5 inches long.

The
Economy Smart Seat also debuts on the A380 and Boeing 787 and has enhanced
comfort with the unique ‘fixed wing’ headrest on each seat.

Etihad
Airways will take delivery of four A380s and three Boeing 787-9s in 2015.